As for the Spider, I'm scared of them. What do you feed her? Do you talk to her? Can she hear you? Do you take her out of the cage regularly? I wouldn't know how to handle her.

Hilda, theoretically, you can hold this one, and some of my other spidys. None of them are venomous, but they can give a nasty bite, and they can b skittish. So I prefer not to hold any of them - more for their safety than mine - I would not want any of them to get hurt because of me! I do talk to them - I don't know if they can hear me. And I cry bitterly when one dies because I do get very attached.

This is my Rosie - she is the First Lady of them all, and I got her in 2007. It will be our 10 year anniversary in a few weeks!

Beca - 18 month old Labrador - full of energy and always on the goDJ - 21 year old paint mare - she is now enjoying retirementRuby - 6 month old paint filly - she is DJ's last foalThomas - 7 year old cat - the ruler of the house

Cheers Her Highness Jockelina

Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away

Lovely photos, Jock. I love Ruby's wonky blaze and the dot on it! My Connemara X TB (Moonshadow) has a white star with a black dot in the middle. DJ looks as if she's about to have another foal!!

Yes, cats always rule the roost. We have 5 all of which just turned up at different times and moved in (2 born in hay barn). They all have their routines and the odd disagreements, but mostly just live together.

Our 2 dogs are rescues and are wonderful. Both bitches - one Spaniel X Border Collie and one Canis Afrikanis.